12 Things I wish I knew before I moved my kids to college
Thousands of students are packing up and moving to their college campuses during August. While they may be excited to start a new chapter of their lives, their parents are probably stressed about moving them away from home. Here are my 12 best tips to get you prepared so that you can experience a smooth and fun moving day.
1. Planning: start planning with your student and make a list of everything they need and everything that needs to be done. Use a calendar and determine everyone’s role in the process.
Ex. Doctor, dental, and vision appointments.
2.Obtain a list of needs from their college and college's residence guidelines: Most dorms and apartment residences have a virtual tour of their space. Watch it several times. Get familiarized with the layout and any restrictions.
Ex. Do you need a twin XL or full-size bed sheets?
3. Coordination: Your student should contact their roommates and coordinate ahead of time with what items each person will bring. It’s also a good idea to write down and take pictures of the items you brought during move-in day to avoid confusion later on.
4. Pack smart: Make carrying items as easy as possible. Many places do not have elevators which makes it difficult to carry heavy boxes. Instead, use big garbage bags and stackable storage bins. Something I have found to be extremely helpful is to bring a wheeled cart or dolly.
5. Label everything: Put your student's name and room number on everything so nothing gets lost during the process.
6. Take what fits in your car: Take advantage of the services that some stores like Walmart, Target, Bed Bath & Beyond, and The Container Store have to offer. You can order online and pick up your order at a store closer to the college. This leaves extra room in your car for everything else.
7. Ship items: Ship your bulky and seasonal items after you have already moved in. This will create less clutter and make your student’s space easier to maintain. Ex. During the summer, you don't need all your winter clothes.
8. Prepare a moving day box: Before decorating and organizing the room the way your student wants it, there are some essential supplies you will need. Some of the items you need to bring are: cleaning supplies, tool kit, trash bags, surge protector, command hooks, and a door stopper. Don’t forget to prepare some water and snacks and to dress comfortably!
9. Contact information: If you have the opportunity to meet your child's roommates, try to get their contact information in case of an emergency.
10. What to unpack first: First thing you should do is make your bed. That helps remove of some of the bulkier items out of the way such as the mattress topper, comforter, and pillows.
11. What to unpack last: Leave all of the wall decor last. This allows your student to complete their room and make their space feel like their new home.
12. Have an open mind! It’s likely going to be a stressful day, not only physically but emotionally as well. Let your college kid take the lead; be patient, and don't stay too long. No matter how much you plan, something might not work as expected. Start saying goodbye at home. You have been preparing your child for this moment, and it's time to trust them and let them start this new chapter of their life.
